Media Release: SMEs urged to help shape the future of social media for Scottish businesses

OWNERS of small and medium-sized businesses throughout Scotland are being asked to take part in a research study which will ensure Scottish companies are reaping maximum benefit from the social media revolution.

Conducted by Glasgow Caledonian University’s Business School, in partnership with leading e-commerce company NSDesign, the research survey aims to discover to what extent Scottish SMEs are utilising the growing number of available social media platforms.

With almost every ambitious company now having a web presence of some description, the dilemma facing many firms is how to measure the success of their activities within the realms of social media and the internet.

The information gathered from the survey will be used to produce a range of resources which will provide SMEs with simple and effective best practice guidance.

Produced by Glasgow-based NSDesign, the guidance will allow firms to better gauge their return on investment (ROI) from social media.

By asking SMEs for input the survey will produce findings which are particularly pertinent to those businesses, enabling NSDesign and the team at the Business School, drawn from the university’s Management and Law departments, to produce tailor-made guidance.

Gary Ennis, managing director of NSDesign, said: “This is an opportunity for all Scottish SMEs to tell us how they are utilising social media and areas in which they feel they could improve.

“It’s not just simply a case of filling in a form and never hearing back however. This survey will provide an insight into how Scottish SMEs are performing in the world of social media and every participant will receive feedback and guidance on how to maximise that performance.”

Margaret McCann, principal investigator for the research from Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “Although many SMEs are currently using social media, not all of them measure the effectiveness of these channels.

“The results of this research will produce straight forward recommendations to SMEs on how to implement and maximise the use of social media while also evaluating the return on their investment.”

To take part in the survey please visit: http://www.nsdesign.co.uk/social_media/survey

NSDesign was voted the number one agency in a hat-trick of categories at the 2011 RAR (Recommended Agency Register) awards in 2011. NSDesign was declared Best in Value for Money, Best in Digital and Best in Client Service.

The company, based at the award-winning Hillington Park Innovation Centre, has been helping businesses and organisations to maximise their success online since 1999.

Managing director, Gary Ennis, featured in the 2010 Business Insider Rising Stars feature.

The company designs innovative products and services that allow its clients to do things better on the web, ranging from initial domain name registration and web hosting, to custom web development, ecommerce systems, internet marketing and training. It delivers these solutions to a range of clients from start-up companies to government bodies and universities.

The focus is strongly on accessibility and usability, providing the tools to empower users with full control over their account, backed by in-house expertise to rely upon when required.

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